West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners » Ultra

2012 Kanawha Trace 50K/10K Trail Runs

Cory Richardson — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:53 +0000

July 28, 2012
7:00 am

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Kanawha Trace 50K/10K Trail Run date has been set for July 28^th, 2012.

2012 Registration is now OPEN! – Follow the link

Updates for 2012.

- Chip timing for 50K/10K

- Port-a-Potty’s at the Starting line.

- Two new foot bridges built at Cabell creek and Bear Hollow.

- KT markings on road- More volunteers at crucial transition areas.

- Ribbion hanging throughout the trail for easier navigation, along with normal KT marking on every other tree.

- Finish line will finish in the amplitheater

- 50K finishers will receive a special Boyscout KT medal designed only for the race.

Cheat Mountain Full!

Adam Casseday — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:27:00 +0000

The 4th edition of the Cheat Mountain Moonshine Madness 50-Mile Trail Run is now full! We could still use several volunteers to help these intrepid souls conquer the night. Please contact me if you’re interested at dr_casseday@yahoo.com . . . unless you’re scared of the dark!

Kanawha Trace Trail Runs – Results, Reports and Photos

Daniel Todd — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:20:04 +0000

The inaugural Kanawha Trace Trail Runs were a great success with 61 finishers in the 50K and another 98 finishers in the 10K. A more detailed report will be ready soon but complete coverage may be found on the race’s Results, Reports and Photos page.

A specail thanks to all the runners, volunteers, and TriStateRacer.com for getting the results fast!

New Set of Trail Runs on Tap – Kanawha Trace Trail Runs

Daniel Todd — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:21:31 +0000

You can still register for the Kanawha Trace Trail runs. The 50K trail run registration closes on July 10th and the 10K registration in open until race day.

All registered runners will receive a Northface DriFit technical shirt and 50K finishers will receive an Amphipod Hydraform water bottle.

Tunnel on Trail (from Facebook)

2011 Highlands: Schwartzbard wins again; Pastalkova loses way, breaks women’s record

Joel Wolpert — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:47:06 +0000

Eva Pastalkova all smiles as she wins 2011 Highlands Sky.

2011 OFFICIAL RESULTS

Highlands went off yesterday under somewhat typical conditions.: cool and humid at the start, gradually warming to mid-70s with a sympathetic cloud-cover that persisted much of the day. Moisture was present in many forms.

Eva Pastalkova was the story of the day. The defending champ, originally from the Czech Republic, now residing in northern VA, ran with the leaders for the first half before pulling away. Even with a mile or two diversion on the North Sods, thanks to some (possibly unintentional) course vandalism, Pastalkova broke the women’s course record, running just over 7 hours. She has been running since she was 15, but competed mainly in orienteering events (ironic, I guess, due to the circumstances) until she moved to the US 7 years ago. She found no orienteering competitions here and turned to running in the mountains, falling in love with the rugged hills in WV.

Dan Lehmann congratulates Eva Pastalkova on her new course record.

Anne Riddle (now Lundblad) held the old record, 7:10:32, a time she ran while placing 5th overall in the first running of Highlands back in 2003. “The course is different now and I’d like to see a new record,” Lehmann quipped just after starting this year’s race. And he got his wish.

Aaron Schwartzbard cruising through the laurel on his way to another Highlands Sky win.

Aaron Schwartzbard returned after a disappointing finish last year to recapture the men’s title in 6:07:35, a full 30 minutes faster than his win during the flood year of 2009. Schwartzbard, a part-time resident of Tucker county, was the first through the North Sods. He realized that there were flags missing for a stretch between aid station 6 and 7, but his familiarity with the trails allowed him to stay on course. As soon as he got to AS #7, the infamous Willie’s Aid Station, he told the volunteers there. They in turn radioed to AS #6 to warn incoming runners.

“I still think this is a legitimate win,” said Schwartzbard. “I kept looking over my shoulder on the road across the sky and couldn’t see anyone. I know I was putting time on them.” Still, the winner felt sympathy for those not far behind him. Most of those runners took it in stride, after all getting out in the wilderness is part of the sport. A small crew from AS# 7, including the infamous (and very tall) Willie Lehmann, hiked into the Sods to re-flag the course and find any lost souls. His hooting and arm waving did lead a small pack of lost runners back onto the course and eventually to the finish.

Which, I suppose brings us to the gem of this event and this sport. As ultra-runners we accept, often with some pride, the fact that we are about to embark on a journey that most people think is crazy. On race day, we acknowledge the distance and the rugged terrain that we plan to cover. And we think of it in terms of finite elements and absolute distance. But when we get lost, off-course due to missing flags or pilot error, the finite length of a race changes. It is then unknown when we’ll finish or even if there is a finish at all. And that, I think, is when we test our mettle. It is one thing to be crazy in a calculated way, but it’s another to remain cool when everything is out of control.

Most of the finishers yesterday had some story about getting lost or wanting credit for the extra miles or postulating on who was the culprit stealing the innocent trail markers. That is everyone but John Logar. Logar, originally from Minnesota and a Highlands Sky veteran, remarked with a supreme confidence,”I never look at trail markers…I gave up on them long ago.” Apparently, Highlands courses through his veins in an instinctual and unquestionable way. “I just read the land.”

A DD15K Top Dog travels to VA to log some miles with Casseday

Daniel Todd — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:54:05 +0000

Adam was within spittin distance of West Virginia as he ran through Pearisburg on RT 460. He was joined by the Top Dog’s running partner Clay Warner for Day 19′s segment. They knocked out 43 miles, which was Clay’s longest run ever. I wonder what Adam was thinking yesterday as he passed the southern terminus of the Allegheny Trail on top of Peters Mountain. I’m sure that he learned so much from that experience and he couldn’t be 20 days into the AT with out those few days on the Allegheny.

See Adam’s daily recaps at Chasing the Wind.

MMT Successes

Mongold — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:35:39 +0000

A BIG congrats to Dan Lehmann, Kim Love-Ottobre, Alan Gowen, and Jay Finkle on their performances at MMT this past weekend. I’ll apologize in advance because I’m probably missing someone but those are the four that I know were there.

Lehmann crushed the Super Senior field and set a big course PR. I was there to witness Kimba’s run, which was absolutely insane. She passed 75 people in the last 50 miles en route to becoming the first woman from Ohio to EVER finish this event.

Strong work WVMTR!!

Kanawha Trace 50K & 10K Trail Runs

WVMTR — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:04:08 +0000

July 16, 2011

UPDATE – Race Webpage and the entry is ready!

Looking for a trail run to fill the void the Rattlesnake 50K left in your annual running calendar? Then mark your calendars on July 16, 2011 with the Kanawha Trace 50K Trail Run. The Kanawha Trace is a 31.68-mile foot trail running from Barboursville, WV, at the confluence of Mud and Guyandotte Rivers, to Frazier’s Bottom, WV on the Kanawha River.

More information on the Kanawha Trace Trail:

Facebook Page

Kanawha Trace History

Photos from a WVMTR members journey

Stay On Orange-A Reverse Ring Report

Kimba — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:00:32 +0000

After I completed The Ring in September, people first said congratulations and therefore eligible to run the Reverse Ring (the OTHER way on the Massanutten Trail).
Since I am committed to running the Massanutten Trail 100, it was a no brainer to get some suffering and a very long run in as training for the race.
For the uninitiated, The Ring is a circuit of the entire 71-mile orange-blazed Massanutten Trail in the George Washington National Forest, on the ridgelines of the eastern and western ranges of the Massanutten Mountains around the Fort Valley, roughly between Front Royal and Luray.
Eighteen (?) runners lined up on a mild February morning. First stop, the climb to Signal Knob.
Now, Signal Knob, last fall, after 65+ miles of running, just about sucked my will to live. In fact, when I think of the Ring, Signal Knob kind of overshadows many other details of the run because it sucked so badly.
It was amazing to hit this section, fresh in the morning. Before I knew it, I was up by the Big Tower, took a quick pic and headed on the ORANGE blazed trail.
There is a long downhill off Signal Knob, then some tedious dirt/gravel road pounding until you reach Powell’s Fort. On the road section is where I took my biggest spill! All of a sudden, I was hitting dirt, on my elbow and side, water bottles flying ten feet down the road. I get up, a little shaken, and can’t even figure out what I could have tripped on this road!
First Aid Station was at Woodstock Towers, where Sniper informed me that Bill W. was just a few minutes ahead. I set out to see if I can catch up with Bill. The section through here is rather annoying. You are picking your way through the rocks on the ridgeline, then suddenly you are heading down…just to run and go back up again. I vaguely think I am on Short Mountain.
Next aid was at Edinburg Gap, where the famous Pesta corn chowder is offered. The gang informs me it’s 8 miles to Moreland, but runs more like 9 miles. It’s a beautiful day out there. The weather is mild, I’m just picking my way through the rocks, aware of the 330 pm cut off time. I get to Moreland Gap around 309 pm, okay to continue on to Camp Roosevelt. Quatro has told us there is aid at Crisman Hollow, that Eva and Cathy hiked in for us.
I get to Crisman Hollow Road around 530pm, thank Eva and Cathy, congratulate Eva on her TWOT finish, and take off to experience Waterfall Mountain-going downhill this time. I timed it-5 minutes. I think it took me 30 minutes to ascend it during the Ring.
I catch up with Bill and Bill here, and pass them. Darkness is fast approaching, and I want to get as much dirt (and rocks) covered as possible. I am feeling good through here, and there is a lot of downhill (or so it seemed.) This is where the beginning of my calorie deficit began, however. I have started using maltodextrin as my calorie supply. The Reverse Ring was my first good experimentation with planning with it. Consequently, I used up my malto in the 15 miles between Moreland Gap and Camp Roo. I did have other calories with me-gels, jelly beans, but I wasn’t consuming calories as steadily as I had been with the malto.
Camp Roosevelt is a welcome sight at 830 pm. Ernesto is getting ready to head out, but I need to get my gear together. I tell him to go on ahead and I will try to catch up.
I had a disorganized stop here. I spent too much time stuffing items into pockets of the jacket I was picking up-that should have already been packed. I was trying to both eat and change clothes at the same time. I should have sat down, got the calories in, and then packed up gear. Quatro was very helpful here, bringing me items, and some unexpected shrimp/sausage gumbo provided by Bur.
Where the Pink Glove Saves the Day
I get out of Camp Roo, with my jacket on, still fussing with items, trying to eat a great grilled cheese sandwich and juggle bottles. I can see Ernesto’s light above, so he is still close. I’m walking uphill and still fussing with pockets. A short ways up the hill, I go to don my gloves and realize I have dropped one. I don’t go back. I have a pair of socks in my pocket; they can also go over my hands.
I pop out, on the top of the ridge, to see the twinkling lights of the town below…”oo, twinkles”. I also have an urgent call of nature all of a sudden, and I cross the road. I don’t remember where the trail is at this juncture. As I turn around, as to not shine my white butt at my fellow runners, I am startled to see a light coming through the woods. This must be the two Bills, coming up right behind me. I get stage fright and pull up my pants. Now the lights stop and they seem to be looking at a sign. I of course do not go over to talk to them, I just wait. But since I still have to go, I decide to start looking for the trail. It seemed I remembered we went around a curve..
Oh no, I guess not. Here are orange blazes. I start down the trail….(which is actually the trail I just ascended). In my gut, I feel something it not quite right..But I am on orange blazes, and that is the only rule of the Ring STAY ON ORANGE.
Then I see my pink glove, on the trail. I am dumbfounded. What did I do? How did this happen? Did I go in a circle? I am massively confused and panicky. The only thing clear is I now need to reverse direction and climb again. There is, at least, some part of my logical mind still functioning. I’m still freaking out inside. So where is the rest of the trail then? I resolve to call and/or text Bur and Quatro when I get to the road to see if they can talk me through this.
I again pop out on the road, see the twinkling lights of the town. Ok Kimba, this is correct. Now, where is the trail? I go to my right, where I thought I had seen the alleged Bills emerge…ah, orange blazes. Ok.
Shortly down the trail, I climb over some rocks, and start down a hill. The trail is leaf covered, but it looks like runners kicked up the leaves. But now the trail is getting sketchy, and not well defined.
STOP! Look for an orange blaze. Nothing. I turn around. No blazes behind me. I get a little scared, because my trail isn’t looking all that well defined either in the darkness. Ok, follow your tracks as well as you can. Go back up the hill. Look for an orange blaze.
I climb a little, and see a blaze. It turns out the little wall of rocks I climbed over was to block people from doing just that; there is a sharp turn in the trail here for a switchback.
At this moment, I am not feeling good. I am rattled. I’ve gotten off trail, a clearly marked trail, twice in a half hour. Who knows how much time I have lost. I’m sinking very low fast.
SO I stop. I drink about half my malto bottle. I take a caffeine tablet and one ibuprofen. I put fresh batteries in my headlight. I start saying “everything is going to be alright” from the Bob Marley song. I just keep repeating that over and over, and concentrate on the orange blazes.
Before long, the calories and caffeine kick in. I am physically feeling better, and both emotionally and mentally have settled down. Ernesto’s light appears ahead. By the time I reach him, I feel fine. Talk about a 100% improvement from my bonk.
I am very glad to see Ernesto. We cover some miles together, just talking about gear, races, what we are eating. Companionship during the long nighttime hours is a good thing.
I am finding my climbing abilities are getting really poor. Ernesto is pulling ahead on the climbs, but I catch up when he slows down plowing through the leaves-there’s lot of rocks hidden in the leaves.
Ernesto stops. I can’t hear what he says, to either mix more Perpeteum or stretch his knee that he hurt earlier. I go on ahead, figuring he will catch me on the next climb, since I am so slow on them. On top of next climb, no Ernesto. I keep checking, expecting to see his light, but nothing.
I come to the sign for the Indian Grave Trail, and know Ernesto will be happy to see this. In my pocket, I have the turn sheet, which lists the mileage that I am at, with all the trail intersections. I don’t pull it out, because the only important landmark is the tent rigged up at Veach Gap, which tells us we have eight miles left to go.
Asthma How I Hate Thee
I have late onset exercise-induced asthma. This means I tend to get an annoying cough and a bit of a wheeze usually hours-six or seven hours-into an ultra. In the winter, I also don my “Hannibal Lechter” face mask, to keep the air a little bit warmer going into my lungs. I did not use the inhaler until 530 pm.
As the night progressed, my breathing grew worse. I got into Veach Gap about the worst possible time for the cold and the body-about 430 am. The coldest time of the day, and when your body temperature starts to drop. As I start up the climb from Veach, I have to stop. My breathing is into a pant and my heart rate is very elevated. I use the inhaler, which gives me no relief. Now I start to get a bit scared, which is upsetting my breathing further. I’m frustrated because I feel good physically, except for the breathing! I stay put until I can get the breathing under control.
All climbs after this are, literally, walk ten steps, stop, and slow down the breathing. The flats and downhill are okay, I can keep moving continually. I’m so frustrated, because I have no idea when I will finish this Ring (I don’t want to look at my watch and get further demotivated.)
I finally see the sign for Elizabeth Furnace-two miles. I look at my watch. To my dumbfounded amazement, it’s 703 am. I am on track to still meet my goal for an 8am finish at Signal Knob!
After getting turned around in Elizabeth Furnace, I cross the road to see the last uphill-the parking lot to Signal Knob! Ugh!! I make it to the parking lot, and try to enter, and am shouted back to finish the ORANGE Trail. I get back on the last part of the MMT Trail, and get to finish the Reverse Ring, on the Orange, at the proper exit.
Thanks to Virginia Happy Trail Runners Club for another great event, and all the generous volunteers who gave up their day-and night-to support us runners. Quatro and Bur, you guys did a great job!

Cheat Mountain

Adam Casseday — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:11:19 +0000

August 26, 2011 9:00 pm

August 27, 2011 10:00 am

August 26-27, 2011

Cheat Mountain Moonshine Madness registration is now open. Click on the CMMM logo above to head to the race site. This is the 4th edition of this WVMTR summer tradition. Sign-up early to reserve your spot (refunds available until 8/5/11). With a limit of only 100 runners, it may fill fast. . . come run through the night!